ONE of the UK's leading out-sourced call centre companies has shortlisted Cardiff for a 900-job investment, the Western Mail has learned.

After a UK-wide search Ventura, a wholly owned subsidiary of retailer Next, is deciding whether to site a massive new 90,000 sq ft call centre operation in the Welsh capital or in Bolton.

Ventura executives are expected to make a final decision shortly.

The growing client base of the Yorkshire-based company includes Northern Rock, Thames Water and 02.

It opened its first operation in Cardiff last year, after taking over the former Serco call centre business after it lost its key National Rail Enquiries contract to rival bidders Ventura and BT. The move safeguarded Serco's exiting 240 jobs in Cardiff, which have since been expanded to 500.

Based on the call centre industry standard of 100 sq ft to one employee, a 90,000 sq ft facility could accommodate 900 staff.

It is understood that Ventura's existing 500 staff in Cardiff would be moved to a new operation, where a further 400 jobs would be created.

Ventura has a base in Yorkshire where it employs more than 5,600 people. Its other top clients include Barclays, British Gas, Freeserve and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Ventura executives have investigated several potential sites in the Cardiff area.

They include phase two of the Fusion Point office development in the centre of Cardiff and a proposed new 90,000 sq ft joint venture office scheme between London-based development company MEPC and Cardiff- based Rightacres.

Ventura has also examined a number of out-of-town locations, such as Cardiff Gate Business Park.

If Cardiff is selected it is understood that Ventura, which is being advised by the Cardiff office of chartered surveyors EJ Hales, would then narrow down its options to a shortlist of three before announcing its preferred location. That location would subsequently become operational between 12 and 15 months later.

A spokeswoman for Ventura said last night, "To meet continuing business expansion, Ventura is currently investigating a number of UK locations for new call centre premises including Cardiff.

"A shortlist of sites has been identified and a final decision on the new location has not yet been made."

And as revealed in the Western Mail last month, Newport is also on the shortlist for a 500-job investment by HM Prison Service.

As part of the Government's strategy to locate more civil service jobs outside of the south-east of England, following the publication of the Lyons Report, the Prison Service is looking for a new administrative and call-centre operation.

Its UK-wide search for suitable sites has now been narrowed down to a shortlist of three, which includes the 54,000 sq ft CS 1000 office development at Celtic Springs business park in Newport.

Also being considered are office sites in Peterborough and Solihull in the West Midlands. A final decision is expected next month.